City representatives grilled Orgera for more than an hour during his interview with the Appointments Committee. Committee members asked him about several controversial issues -- including his involvement in four pending lawsuits and the misuse of proceeds from city scrap metal sales -- before voting 3 to 4 against his candidacy.

Orgera did not return a request for comment Friday, but said during his interview that he is confident he could continue to lead the Operations Department.

"I love this job," he said. "I went on vacation last week; I couldn't wait to get back. I get jittery when I'm not working."

Orgera, a Republican, started working for the city in 1970 as a police officer. After 20 years he moved to the Office of Operations, where he worked primarily in the highways division until former Mayor Michael Pavia appointed him as director of the department in 2009.

Martin, a Democrat who took office Dec. 1, nominated Orgera for reappointment in April. Appointments Committee Co-Chairwoman Anabel Figueroa, D-8, said she trusted Martin's choice and believed Orgera had proven himself a reliable and effective director.

"I applaud his decision to give you this position," Figueroa told Orgera Thursday. "I did receive some phone calls against your position, but I also received many calls from my constituents that were very pleased."

Other committee members questioned whether Orgera could handle the immense workload his job entails. As director of operations, he supervises 220 employees across 19 divisions and manages a $37.3 million budget. Orgera also serves on the Water Pollution Control Authority's Board of Directors.

"He oversees every department and the maintenance and service of all municipal buildings," said city Rep. Ben Velishka, D-2. "The amount of responsibility that the Director of Operations has is tremendous."

Orgera said the workload can be overwhelming because his department is understaffed and perennially underfunded. But he defended his record , citing the city's response to tropical storms and blizzards over the last several years as one of his biggest accomplishments.

Committee members also asked Orgera about several controversies he has been swept up in over the last four years, the latest involving an email he forwarded in 2010.

"I didn't read the entire email; I read what I saw, and I sent it out," he said. "I know since then people are saying I'm a bigot. I hope people here don't think I am, because it's way out of line."

City Rep. Dennis Mahoney, R-20, is not a member of the Appointments Committee but attended Thursday's meeting and asked Orgera about the email.

"I don't think anyone would be silly enough to think you're a bigot," Mahoney said. "Are you worried, though, as this email begins to circulate ... perception is important."

City Rep. Carl Franzetti, R-14, asked Orgera about the city's scrap metal scandal, the fatal Christmas Day fire in Shippan and ongoing problems at the WPCA.

Police investigated Orgera's department in 2011 after allegations surfaced that city employees were selling city scrap metal and pocketing the cash. Orgera and two other highways supervisors acknowledged they had used cash from the sale of city scrap metal for "morale-boosting purposes," such as the annual holiday party.

"When I came to the city, I was advised by my supervisor what to do with the scrap metal money and I did it," Orgera told the committee Thursday.

The police did not find any evidence workers had stolen city money or property; State's Attorney David Cohen concluded nothing criminal had occurred. Pavia suspended Orgera for three weeks without pay in connection with the incident. Stamford's scrap metal sales have dramatically increased since the investigation.

"I since issued a policy that there is no one that would sell or gather scrap metal other than the city of Stamford solid waste division," Orgera said Thursday. "It's an embarrassment for me, but I've weathered through it. I didn't think I'd done anything wrong, but I realize now it was unethical and I paid for it."

Committee members also asked Orgera about his involvement in the demolition of Madonna Badger's Shippan home.

Badger's parents and three young daughters died in the 2011 fire, and Stamford officials demolished her charred house the following day without her knowledge or permission.

Badger, her ex-husband, and their children's estate are all suing the city and Orgera in connection with the fire.

"I did not order the building down," Orgera told the committee Thursday.

On the day of the fire, Chief Building Official Bobby DeMarco called Orgera to ask him if he could demolish the building. Orgera said he then called former Director of Legal Affairs Michael Larobina to seek his advice. Larobina told Orgera the city's building official was the only person with the authority to order the demolition, which Orgera then conveyed to DeMarco, he said.

"But the Building Official reports directly to the Director of Operations," Velishka said. "Shouldn't it have been your decision, according to the Charter?"

Orgera said the state building code, which supersedes city Charter, dictates building demolition procedures. The lawsuits are still pending in court, and Orgera said he has already spent eight hours being deposed. He is also named in a federal lawsuit lodged against the city in 2011 by an employee in his department, city mechanic James Fasoli, who alleged Orgera and several other supervisors retaliated against his efforts to expose corruption.

"I think there were some tragically serious errors there through the years," Savage said. `One person cannot assume responsibility for the world, and I think in today's world we frequently point the finger at who is at the top."

Summerville also supported Orgera's nomination.

"I hear people say, `It's time for change. Get someone in who's more competent,' " Summerville said. "Where is that person? For now, I give my support 100 percent to Ernie Orgera."

Appointments Committee members Velishka, Franzetti, McGarry and city Rep. James Caterbone, R-18, voted against Orgera's reappointment. His nomination now goes before the full Board of Representatives, which will hold the final vote on his candidacy on Monday.

President Randy Skigen, D-19, said he is leaning toward voting in Orgera's favor.

"Generally I think that absent extraordinary circumstances the mayor should be allowed to choose his cabinet," Skigen said Friday.

Martin said he still supports Orgera and believes the full board will confirm his reappointment.

"I'm confident that the full Board of Representatives will look past this (committee) vote and support Ernie, because I think that most people realize how dedicated he is to the city and how hard he works and how competent he is," Martin said.

Orgera is earning a $148,833 salary, which would increase to $151,810 next fiscal year if he is reappointed.

Monday's Board of Representatives meeting, which is open to the public, is scheduled for 8 p.m. in the legislative chambers on the fourth floor of the Government Center.